612 Health Drive, Raeford, NC 28376
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Open Arms Retirement Center
Pros
Miss Janice, Mrs. Dear, and Miss Tish are absolute God sends; they care so much for residents and go above and beyond.
They truly love their job, and the daily activities are a lot of fun.
The staff are sweet and very attentive to each resident.
The Activity Coordinator is always looking for ways to keep residents engaged and entertained.
This community is more like a big family.
Open Arms Retirement Center is clean, well-kept, with a home-like atmosphere and attentive, knowledgeable staff.
The living quarters are kept clean at all times, and the food is fantastic.
They have an awesome staff with bingo and other activities to keep residents engaged.
Cons
The staff are unprofessional and helpers are stealing patients' pain medication.
A lot of family members are left unattended and staff are stealing personal information to scam the elder's identity.
The facility is described as terrible, a revolving door, with hires who may not have been caught despite background checks.
Residents have to beg to take a shower.
A resident's wallet ended up missing after being left in the laundry.
The heating fails and rooms are kept cold, with the heater falling out of the wall.
After a beloved worker was fired, the facility reportedly went downhill.
A resident said she wouldn't put her dog in that place.
Review
Open Arms Retirement Center in Raeford is best for seniors who want a small, home-like environment where staff relationships feel personal and residents are treated with familiar warmth. The community earns praise for caregivers who appear truly invested, names like Miss Janice, Mrs Dear, and Miss Tish are highlighted as standouts, creating a vibe where daily activities feel meaningful rather than rote. Rooms and common areas are described as clean and roomy, the grounds well kept, and meals reliably satisfying. For those transitioning from hospital or rehab, the center can provide ongoing PT/OT support, regular meals, and a structured day while preserving a family feel and a sense of belonging.
However, serious safety and consistency considerations push some families to look elsewhere. Allegations of staff unprofessionalism, medication theft, and improper handling of resident information raise red flags about supervision and security. Reports of residents going without showers, cold rooms, and even a frequent revolving door of staff point to potential lapses in basic daily oversight. For residents needing rigorous memory-care governance or highly regulated routines, alternatives with stronger admin control and clearer accountability may be preferable.
On the plus side, the strongest pros, genuine caregiver dedication, a welcoming atmosphere, engaging activities, and solid meal programs, often offset the day-to-day frustrations for families who value connection and dignity. When staff know residents by name and turn activities into real social experiences, morale, and safety, improve. Cleanliness and attractive grounds contribute to comfort, and room-to-door service for meals can ease mobility challenges. Yet these strengths do not erase safety concerns tied to inconsistent staffing, occasional lapses in supervision, or incidents suggesting mishandling of personal property.
Specific positives repeatedly cited include attentive caregivers, an active calendar with bingo and walking groups, and a kitchen that delivers three hot meals plus snacks. Families report that residents with mobility or routine needs can still participate, and the facility’s small size often translates into a sense of intimacy and accessible staff. The setting earns praise for being tidy, well maintained, and family-friendly, with residents allowed to enjoy outdoor spaces and a generally homelike dining environment. Still, some residents recount frustration with staffing gaps and a sense that the activity director role has been unstable.
For families evaluating this center, a concrete due-diligence plan matters. Seek candid discussions with front-line staff and the administrator about daily schedules, security practices for medications and personal data, and how losses or misplacements are handled. Tour multiple rooms, verify room-change policies, and confirm that climate control and shower availability meet the resident’s needs. Request current menus and ask how often dietary preferences are accommodated. Inquire about staffing ratios, the process for addressing resident concerns, and whether there is an active resident council to ensure feedback drives change.
In sum, Open Arms Retirement Center offers a warm, intimate setting with strong social and culinary offerings that suit seniors who prize personal attention and a sense of community. It is a viable option for those who can tolerate occasional operational hiccups in exchange for day-to-day warmth and meaningful engagement. For families where safety, consistent staffing, and rigorous oversight are non-negotiable, alternatives with tighter governance and more predictable routines should be pursued. The decision hinges on weighing the appeal of a home-like, actively engaged environment against the risk of inconsistencies in care and security. Open Arms can be a compelling match for the right resident, with careful, proactive evaluation of safeguards and care routines before move-in.









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